Digital Trends presents an interesting theory, that is also a little worrying.   The big PC and laptop retailers may have been behind the push to move to dual core in order to let their proprietary software run.  Almost any PC and laptop from a major manufacturer has any number of programs that constantly run and take up CPU cycles.  What would it mean if that load was pushed onto the second core, leaving the first core for the user

“But let me tell you why the multinational Tier 1s benefit from dual-core processing technology more than their customers. It’s quite simple. They load down their systems with extraneous software that you do not need and only chew up clock cycles. Microsoft has dubbed this bloatware ‘craplets,’ and they’re worried it’s going to ruin Vista’s reception by the public. These craplets of course are revenue streams for the Tier 1s. In fact, with the razor thin margins in this industry, the kickbacks they get may mean the only margin they get! So who’s the real customer at this point? Back to my point”

Here is some more Tech News from around the web:

Tech Talk